Woman’s murder near Franklin Station fourth homicide of the year

Laoagan

Calgary police are saying a woman found dead on Friday is Calgary’s fourth homicide of the year, but they aren’t able to confirm her identity.

The medical examiner hasn’t been able to identify the remains by traditional means, though it is believed the victim is missing 40-year-old Arcelie Laoagan, who disappeared after her night shift on Thursday.

A frustrated Staff Sgt. Kevin Forsen of the homicide unit told reporters identifying the body is a priority.

“This is a very, very unique case. We’ve made this our priority and we’ve been working non-stop. It’s very frustrating for everybody involved and it’s a very difficult case for us as well as the community,” Forsen said.

Police are withholding the cause of death for investigative reasons and also cannot confirm if the victim was sexually assaulted.

Investigators are still trying to determine whether or not the victim knew her attacker but haven’t ruled out a random attack, which prompted public warnings.

The victim was found murdered along the 2800 block of Memorial Dr. SE across from the Franklin Station on Friday morning around 5:30 a.m.

LRT user, 24-year-old Amanda Palechuk, who frequents the Franklin LRT station, told Metro she has lived in the city her whole life but only recently became scared.

“You don’t feel safe anymore ever since the big boom. It’s not like it used to be. I take the train and it’s pretty rough,” she said, adding she has seen drug users, fights, and even people jumping in front of trains.

Even a passenger who has his black belt in karate, and did not want to use his name, said he fears for his safety.

“I don’t use the train often. You never know what could happen. I think they should have surveillance tapes up here. It’s scary, especially for (women),” the man said.

Police are still looking for a missing purse and a brown boot the victim was believed to have been wearing the night of her death.